Airbus may buy Spirit facility in France

Published: Thursday, March 28, 2013 at 09:19 PM.

“I am proud of the great company we have formed, the growth we have achieved since 2005 and the solid opportunities for the future,” Turner said in a statement.

Spirit tapped former Lockheed executive Larry Lawson as its new president and CEO.

“Larry met all of the board’s criteria,” Spirit Chairman of the Board Bob Johnson said in a news release. “He is a well-known and highly respected leader in the industry and has outstanding experience managing multiple premier aircraft platforms efficiently and profitably across a large-scale business.”

Lawson takes over the position April 6.

Wes Wolfe can be reached at 252-559-1075 or wes.wolfe@kinston.com. Follow him on Twitter @WolfeReports.

Airbus is inching closer to streamlining its A350 jet construction, according to recent reports.

Sources within the company told Aviation Week the French company, and main competitor to Boeing, wants to purchase the Spirit AeroSystems facility in St. Nazaire, France. Spirit’s Kinston facility builds composite panels for the A350 fuselage which are then shipped to St. Nazaire for further assembly.

“Spirit is working closely with our customer and making progress in delivering on our commitments and making the A350 XWB successful,” Spirit spokesman Ken Evans said in a statement. “Any discussions with Airbus fit into this context.

“We don’t speculate on any business transactions that have not been announced and we don’t have anything to announce at this time.”

Airbus also would not elaborate on the rumors, issuing a statement saying the company works closely with its suppliers and intends to continue in order to make the A350 a successful venture.

Multiple outlets reported Airbus hasn’t been pleased with the speed of the production process, and Spirit posted a loss in the third quarter of 2012, leading to some grumbling from investors.

Jeff Turner, the CEO who was with Spirit since its founding, announced in November 2012 his intention to resign and let someone else handle the reins.

“I am proud of the great company we have formed, the growth we have achieved since 2005 and the solid opportunities for the future,” Turner said in a statement.

Spirit tapped former Lockheed executive Larry Lawson as its new president and CEO.

“Larry met all of the board’s criteria,” Spirit Chairman of the Board Bob Johnson said in a news release. “He is a well-known and highly respected leader in the industry and has outstanding experience managing multiple premier aircraft platforms efficiently and profitably across a large-scale business.”

Lawson takes over the position April 6.

Wes Wolfe can be reached at 252-559-1075 or wes.wolfe@kinston.com. Follow him on Twitter @WolfeReports.